EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
“Remove the toxicity from your life and mind and allow your body to do what it was meant to do…move toward miraculous healing.”
WORKING THROUGH TRAMA WITH EMDR
Working through trauma with a trained expert, like Dr. Harvey, is different than simply sharing your thoughts and feelings with a good friend. Whether you elect talk therapy or a more structured approach, like EMDR, Dr. Harvey will help you process the pain of your past that has interrupted you from finding peace and joy in your life.
WHAT IS EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy technique created by Francine Shapiro, PhD, a clinical psychologist. It is a treatment approach that enables clients to heal from traumatic experiences of the past, in the present moment, in a supportive and safe environment. This treatment is highly effective for many psychological disturbances, including PTSD and lesser traumatic events (referred to as “small t” traumas), based on the findings of over 30 controlled research studies. Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience benefits that would take years of traditional talk psychotherapy.
HOW DOES EMDR WORK?
EMDR targets unprocessed or “stuck” memories that are comprised of negative beliefs, emotions and physical sensations. First the client brings up an image of the event, and then the therapist will ask the client to notice any negative thoughts and/or sensations in the body. Once the client has an awareness of his/her somatic and cognitive state, the therapist begins the process of Bilateral Stimulation of the brain hemispheres. This is done by stimulating alternating sides of the body with auditory, (using a headset), tactile (vibrating paddles being held), or visual stimulation (eye movement).
This stimulation activates the brain’s information processing system so that old memories can safely be processed in the present. During this neural stimulation, the brain begins to make different connections which allow the client to safely process the memory with the therapist’s support.
In his recent book, “The Body Keeps The Score,” Bessel van der kolk (2014) explained; “EMDR loosens up something in the mind/brain that gives people rapid access to loosely associated memories and images from their past. This seems to help them put traumatic experience into a larger context or perspective.” EMDR assists clients with “regulating the intense memories activated by trauma,” rather than talking through the traumatic events.
Our body moves toward miraculous healing if we remove toxicity. This is how we explain full recovery from untreatable cancer diagnoses. The brain’s information processing system also naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a “toxic” disturbing event, it can result in significant emotional suffering. Once that block is removed, healing resumes and life improvements are witnessed.
The unique result of EMDR, is that clients conclude therapy feeling empowered by the very experiences that once caused them suffering. Their wounds have not just closed, they have actually transformed—healed.
WHAT CAN EMDR BE USED FOR?
In addition to its use for the treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, EMDR has been successfully used to treat:
Anxiety and panic attacks
Depression
Stress
Phobias
Grief
Addiction
Insomnia
Pain relief
Self-esteem
Performance anxiety
CAN ANYONE BENEFIT FROM EMDR?
While EMDR can accelerate therapy by resolving the impact of your past traumas and allowing you to live more fully in the present, it is not appropriate for everyone. Although disturbing experiences during processing, if occurring, will last only a brief time, the client must be able to tolerate the emotional disturbance. Dr. Harvey will work with you to assess if you are a candidate at first meeting, or if additional self-regulation skills are needed prior to commencing EMDR work.
HOW LONG DOES THE TREATMENT TAKE?
EMDR can be brief focused treatment or part of a longer psychotherapy program. Thus, it is difficult to say how many sessions of EMDR you might attend. EMDR sessions can be done in a standard therapeutic hour, or the traditional 90 minute EMDR session length.
WILL I REMAIN IN CONTROL AND EMPOWERED?
During EMDR treatment, you will remain in control, fully alert and wide-awake. You can stop the process at any point. This is not a form of hypnosis.